desmoplastic melanoma

desmoplastic melanoma

An uncommon melanoma (2% of all melanomas) that may not be recognised as such initially, and thus is often diagnosed at a higher stage. It is usually associated with lentigo maligna, or less commonly with acral melanoma and other melanomas.
Demographics
Male:female ratio, 2:1; more common in head and neck.
Clinical findings
Innocuous clinical presentation in the form of indurated discoid papule, plaque or nodule. Pigmentation is often absent, but lentiginous discolouration adjacent to the nodule may be seen.
DiffDx
Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, DFSP, dermatofibroma, cysts, indurated scar-like plaques.

MELANOMA

desmoplastic melanoma

A rare type of malignant melanoma in which the typical melanotic pigmentation may be absent. It often occurs on the head or neck. Microscopically, the tumor cells are spindle-shaped. Local recurrences after surgical excision are common, as are metastases, esp. to the lungs. illustrationSee also: melanoma